A Voyage of Discovery to the North Pacific Ocean. Vol. VI

1801

de Beer Eb 1801 V

London: Printed for John Stockdale

After sailing thousands of miles around the Pacific, Vancouver’s ships – the Discovery and the Chatham – needed repairs and replenishment. They headed towards the port of Valparaíso (‘Paradise Valley’), where they stayed for several weeks, under patronage of Governor Alava. This ‘Jewel of the Pacific’ was a convenient stopping-off point for ships crossing between the Atlantic and the Pacific Oceans via the Straits of Magellan or Cape Horn. An oversight by Vancouver meant there was no official artist on board. Fortunately a few of the crew like midshipman John Sykes had artistic ability. This engraving (amended for publication by William Alexander) is based on the sketch ‘on the spot’ by Sykes, who created some 90 drawings throughout the voyage.